Designing Theatre: The Comedy of Errors

Summary

Bunny Christie, a set and costume designer, explains her creative process for theatre productions. She meticulously analyzes scripts, noting every scene and important details. Her design work starts with gathering ideas and images to create a visual language, followed by constructing scale models to visualize the set. Christie highlights the flexibility of working with simple models, allowing for quick adjustments. She discusses her work on 'Comedy of Errors,' where she designed a vibrant, multi-level set. Christie emphasizes the magic of theatre, where audiences suspend disbelief, contrasting it with the realism of movies.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The set and costume designer oversees every visual aspect of a theatre production.
• 📝 The designer carefully analyzes the script, noting key details like scene settings, time of day, and special actions.
• 📑 Bunny Christie starts her design process by creating a grid to track the details of each scene.
• 🎥 Inspiration is drawn from films, photos, and various collected images to create a visual language for the show.
• 🎨 The designer presents several concepts for a production before narrowing down ideas based on feedback.
• 🛠️ Many theatres work with limited resources, which can encourage creativity and imaginative problem-solving.
• 🏗️ Bunny Christie prefers moving quickly to building scale models instead of doing extensive sketches.
• 📐 Set models are built to a 1:25 scale, and a ‘white card model’ helps test and modify designs efficiently.
• 🌆 The design for ‘Comedy of Errors’ transitioned from a dockside setting to a vibrant cityscape inspired by Soho, London.
• ✨ Theatre allows for a suspension of disbelief, creating magic and moving beyond the constraints of realism.

Q & A

Who is Bunny Christie and what is her role in theatre?

Bunny Christie is a designer of sets and costumes in theatre. She is responsible for overseeing the entire visual look of a production, making decisions about everything seen on stage.

What is the initial step Bunny Christie takes when she begins working on a new script?

Bunny Christie starts by methodically creating a grid in her sketchbook, where she notes down every scene, the characters involved, the time of day, the season, and any special actions or requirements in the scene.

How does Bunny Christie approach the design process after analyzing the script?

After analyzing the script, she explores several directions by gathering images and references, and she may present three different ideas for how the production could look. She works closely with the director to develop a shared visual language.

What challenges do designers face in smaller theatres compared to larger institutions like the National Theatre?

In smaller theatres, designers often have limited resources and financial backing, which requires them to be more imaginative and creative with their designs.

How did Bunny Christie and the director of 'Comedy of Errors' decide on the setting for the production?

Initially, they considered setting the production in a container terminal, but the director later decided it should be set in the center of the city, resembling a vibrant area like Soho in London.

Does Bunny Christie rely heavily on drawing during her design process?

No, Bunny Christie does not focus heavily on drawing. She moves quickly to building scale models of the set, working within a model box to visualize the design in 3D.

What is a white card model, and why is it important in Bunny Christie’s design process?

A white card model is a basic, detail-free model of the set layout made of white card. It allows for quick changes and adjustments, such as altering the height or adding doors, without much time or effort.

What is the scale of the models Bunny Christie works with, and how are they used?

Bunny Christie works with models scaled at 1:25. These models help the design team agree on exact details like colors and textures, ensuring everyone is on the same page about the final look of the set.

How does Bunny Christie create different atmospheres within the set of 'Comedy of Errors'?

In 'Comedy of Errors,' she created a dark, grimy dock setting with scaffolding and chains for the storm scenes. She then transformed the space into a cityscape with streets, alleys, and shop fronts, using scale and levels to create dynamic spaces.

What makes theatre design distinct from film design, according to Bunny Christie?

Theatre design allows for more creative freedom and magic because it is not tied to the realism and naturalism of film. In theatre, both the audience and the performers agree to suspend disbelief, creating a unique and imaginative experience.